Shooting suspect who was found through facial recognition sentenced to prison

JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) - A Jonesboro man who was found by police using special technology following a shooting will face jail time.

Second Circuit Judge Randy Philhours sentenced 41-year-old Michael Murray on Monday, Dec. 9, to 24 months in the Arkansas Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to two counts of possession of firearms by certain persons.

The sentencing order stated Murray would also spend 60 months suspended imposition.

On July 22, officers responded to a report of shots fired in the 3500 block of Race Street.

According to court documents, the victim said a gold Honda Accord pulled into the apartment complex across the street. The driver then fired one round at him before leaving.

The victim provided officers with a photo of the suspect’s vehicle.

Using video obtained from the intersection camera at Race Street and Middlefield Drive, police said they were able to track the suspect’s movements before the alleged shooting.

The video showed the suspect leave Race Street Market and travel to the crime scene.

Investigators then collected surveillance video from the store showing the suspect entering and leaving just before the shooting.

Photos of the driver from the store video were sent to the Regional Organized Crime Information Center for facial recognition.

“From the result received from the ROCIC, the male driver of the Honda Accord was identified as Michael Murray,” the affidavit stated. “Murray was identified by photo comparison along with tattoos.”

Court documents state that on Dec. 9, an aggravated assault charge for Murray was nolle prossed.

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